McCallum fired for telling the truth

By EditorialJan. 30, 2019

Generally, journalists prefer interviewing an ambassador who is a political appointee rather than a career diplomat. The former politicians are usually more comfortable speaking to journalists and have enough influence to be able to speak their minds, or at least to a greater extent than career diplomats for whom the ability to be discreet is sacrosanct. Political appointees give good quotes, while career diplomats tend to couch their words carefully.

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.